A coordination unit for a group of medical devices, which is configured to execute the following steps: receiving sensor data from at least one of the medical devices the sensor data being associated with a patient, receiving a medical data set which is associated with the patient, and initiating an evaluation of the sensor data and/or the at least one medical data set to derive a treatment scheme. Also provided is a treatment system comprising the coordination unit and at least one medical device, the coordination unit being coupled to the medical device (3) via a data connection.

Systems and methods related to reconfigurable medical devices are described. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable medical device may include a central core and a plurality of arms. The arms may be rotatably coupled to the central core such that the plurality of arms may rotate outwards away from the central core to selectively reconfigure the reconfigurable device between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration. In an initial state, the arms may be biased outwards away from the central core into the expanded configuration. When the reconfigurable device is exposed to a temperature greater than a threshold temperature, the arms may be biased towards the central core into the retracted configuration. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable medical device may include therapeutic compound-loaded needles coupled to distal portions of the arms.

A device and a process determine a value indicative of a respective regional compliance of lungs of a patient (P) in a plurality of different regions of the lungs. An airway pressure sensor (3) measures a value indicative of the pressure (Paw), which is variable over time, at the airway of the patient (P). A difference between the end-inspiratory transpulmonary pressure and the end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure is determined. An EIT measuring device (17) measures by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) a change in volume of a lung region. The difference between the end-inspiratory volume and the end-expiratory volume of the lung region is determined with the use of signals of the EIT measuring device (17). A quotient of the volume difference for the region in question and the pressure difference present at the lungs is calculated as the value indicative of the regional compliance of the lung region.

Embodiments of the application involve a formulation of Fluticasone Propionate in the form of a suspension, gel or dry powder comprising Fluticasone Propionate, Fluticasone Furoate, Micronized Fluticasone Propionate or Micronized Fluticasone Furoate or other corticosteroids. Additional pharmaceutical components of the formulation may allow for the adherence and duration of the active ingredient to the inflamed esophageal tissues. The resulting medication formulation is then targeted with a drug delivery device and applied directly to the oropharynx bypassing the oral cavity altogether. The medication then flows down the back of the throat to the esophagus. By passing the oral cavity prevents the corticosteroid drug from being absorbed into the bloodstream through oral cavity tissues, helping to prevent harmful side effects. Additional side effects are avoided by using the medication Fluticasone, which exhibits exceptionally low gastrointestinal absorption.

A breathing apparatus (1) is disclosed that is adapted to determine a transpulmonary pressure in a patient (125) when connected to said breathing apparatus. A control unit (105) is operable to set a first mode of operation for ventilating said patient with a first Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) level; set a second mode of operation for ventilating said patient with a second PEEP level starting from said first PEEP level; and determine said transpulmonary pressure (Ptp) based on a change in end-expiratory lung volume (ΔEELV) and a difference between said first PEEP level and said second PEEP level (ΔPEEP). Furthermore, a method and computer program are disclosed.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for use with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus comprises a catheter and a plurality of compliant balloons extended outside and along the axial direction of the catheter, wherein the catheter comprises a plurality of communicating conduits, each of which is in air or fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of compliant balloons. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating gastrointestinal tumors in a subject with the aid of the present apparatus.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for regulating a temperature of an esophagus when heat or cold is delivered to a left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which conforms and corresponds with a cross-section of an inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heating/cooling balloon which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration. Some alternative embodiments includes altering the configuration of the balloon to conform to or correspond with the cross section of an esophagus by means other than inflation.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating strictures in body lumens and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for placing an elongated tube within a patient's body are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongated tube, a magnetic tip, and an inflatable member. The elongated tube can have a first end and a second end, and can define a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen can extend from the first end to the second end. The magnetic tip can be coupled to the first end of the elongated tube. The magnetic tip can be tapered toward a distal end of the magnetic tip. An inflatable member can be disposed within the elongated tube proximal of the tapered magnetic tip and fluidically coupled to the second lumen such that the inflatable member can receive fluid via the second lumen.

The present disclosure describes a system that automatically detects patient-ventilator asynchrony and trends in patient-ventilator asynchrony. The present disclosure describes a framework that uses pressure, flow, and volume waveforms to detect patient-ventilator asynchrony and the presence of secretions in the ventilator circuit.